GUARD YOUR TIME
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord.
Ephesians 5:15-19 (NIV)
I was challenged years ago in my time with the Lord not to wish away seasons. Think about it: we say things like, I can’t wait until this week is over, or Things will be better once this season ends. There are two things I have realized about this. Number one, it seems like it’s always a season, and number two, time is the only thing we can’t get more of. We have to be careful not to waste what we can't get more of. The Bible speaks about time as an investment. We give time, we spend time, and we invest time. This has changed the ways I speak about difficult seasons. While I don’t enjoy difficult seasons, it’s forced me to try and be present to God and others. Jesus’ purpose on this earth, biblically speaking, could have been solved in a weekend. He could have come to this earth, died on the cross, and rose again. Yet, He spent time, gave time, and invested time into others. He didn’t just rush through everything to get to His destination.
Your days are numbered, and we are called to guard our time. We’ll never get this exact season again with these exact people. There are people I went to high school I will never talk to, previous neighbors I will never talk to, or co-workers I will never speak to again. That season is gone, and this verse tells us to make the most of every opportunity. The verse is a call not to get drunk or distracted from the world's pleasures but rather through the Spirit. This isn’t a condemnation of alcohol; instead, it’s showing the one who has been drinking is under the control of alcohol, they have been affected by it, and so have their actions. When we are under the control of the Spirit, we will be affected by Him, and our actions will show it. We must be people who look for every opportunity to love God and love people. Don’t wish the season away; instead, look for the divine opportunities that are right before you, and God will work in ways you never imagined. Be faithful.
APPLICATION: Make the most of every opportunity in front of you, even the hard ones.
PRAYER: Ask God to give you the ability to trust Him in the hard times. Ask the Spirit to give you spiritual eyes to see and ears to hear where He is leading.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?